Schalke sack Felix Magath

GOAL – GELSENKIRCHEN, Bundesliga outfit Schalke have sacked coach Felix Magath with immediate effect following the club’s poor league performances this term.

The Schalke board held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the 57-year-old’s position, and the decision has been taken to relieve the tactician of his duties, despite the Gelsenkirchen side reaching the DFB-Pokal final and sealing progression to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Magath however lost the support of the club’s board and supporters with the team lying tenth in the table, and a statement on the club’s official website reads: “Schalke have very good reasons to part company with Felix Magath.

“We will not communicate these reasons as a legal battle now awaits us. We’re very disappointed about the departure of Felix, but we feel this is the best solution for Schalke.”

Magath, who also held a position as a member of Schalke’s board, had earlier refused to attend his meeting with the club, and released a statement through his laywer prior to his dismissal that outlined his position, which read: “Mister Magath won’t attend Wednesday’s board meeting as he feels participating doesn’t make any sense.

“Mister Magath only received a minimal and incomplete agenda of the meeting on Tuesday. He needs to be well prepared if he is to debate about important subjects.”

The club have however acted swiftly to remove Magath from the dugout, and will begin their search for a replacement.